At 2.20 p.m. on 3rd December, 1968, the coastguard told the honorary secretary that the fishing boat Gwen with two men on board, which had sailed from Maryport at noon the previous day bound for Workington, had not arrived. At 2.30 p.m.

the life-boat Manchester and Salford XXIX slipped her moorings. The tide was ebbing. The life-boat came up with the Gwen one and a quarter miles south east of Hestan Island.

Her half shaft had broken. The lifeboat towed the Gwen to Workington, and returned to her station at 7 o'clock..